One issue selected from the contemporary research literature, perhaps by
guest lecturer.

Recommended Texts

No specific text

Learning Outcomes

Understand the notion of an agent, how agents are distinct from other
software paradigms (eg objects) and understand the characteristics of
applications that lend themselves to an agent-oriented solution;

Understand the key issues associated with constructing agents capable of
intelligent autonomous action, and the main approaches taken to developing
such agents;

Understand the key issues in designing societies of agents that can
effectively cooperate in order to solve problems, including an
understanding of the key types of multi-agent interactions possible in
such systems

Understand the main application areas of agent-based solutions, and be
able to develop a meaningful agent-based system using a contemporary agent
development platform.

Learning Strategy

Formal lectures:

Students will be expected to attend three hours of formal lectures in a typical week.

Private study:

In a typical week, students will be expected to devote a further seven hours of unsupervised time to private study. The time allowed for private study each week will typically include three hours of time for reflection and consideration of lecture material, and four hours of background reading.